<p>Mtmommy--I would be wary of encouraging this kid to pursue school. He needs to figure out what it is he wants and then figure out how to get there. He has already made decisions not to do school. And as we all know, school is not the only way to pursue a life in theatre. Maybe he needs to experience being responsible for himself--life experience, life skills. I think there are many different routes. The majority of our children are choosing a well travelled road--high school diploma, college (undergrad, grad for some) work. He apparently has chosen to go his own route and he should be encouraged to figure it out and go for it.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all your ideas. I really appreciate them all. Yes, the school thing is a problem in that if he doesn't want to do well, he isn't going to. But then he does do well in choir and drama. . . .</p>
<p>Mtmommy, maybe this boy could help focus himself with some theatre-related work. Probably not any kind of paid position, nor the sort of competitive internship that looks at school records, but just some volunteer involvement.</p>
<p>Newmtmom, you're right about the Pats! Even my Redskins-fan H, who generally dislikes all New England teams despite being married to a Boston girl (hmmm...), is rooting for the Pats -- likes their attitude, work ethic, non-showboatiness.</p>
<p>Mtmommy ,
I agree with the last poster. Now is the time to explore summer internships at regional professional/non-professional theatres. In my area, there are more than a few. Start looking around and see what opportunities present themselves. Some of these internships offer stipends and have classes in acting, etc. If you come up with nothing, then maybe he can create a summer intership on his own. Have him meet with artistic and managing directors of theatre companies to see what he can do. Even a box office job might put him in a good position. The people who run these programs are good resources and might have connections for the next step in this young man's journey.
While he's doing this, he could also explore taking just one summer class in an academic subject he likes. It doesn't have to be a boring math class. Actors need a good liberal arts backgroud, even if they don't pursue a degree.</p>
<p>I just read your post and it is interesting that I know a third year female Tish student who left school to do the show. It would be interesting if we know the same girl. I had heard from her parents that she was a swing in the show.</p>
<p>If you look at my initials you may be able to figure out who I am. I teach in the M&T conservatory at your school and my S graduated from OCHSA two years ago and is now at CMU. SURPRISE!</p>
<p>I think I put my first message on the wrong thread! :-{ Hope this is the right place. I found this site 2 days ago and feel that finally I might have found people who can help. I have a S in grade 11 and a D in grade 9 and they both want to pursue MT. I really don't know where to start. I have spent a couple of hours reading some of the threads but if anyone could give me some more specific suggestions I'd really appreciate it. Neither my husband nor I did our undergrads in the USA so the whole college apllication thing is overwhelming. I've printed off The Big List and have started looking at individual schools and their requirements. We've been told that the program at U of M is the best. My husband and I both have graduate degrees from there in Music but not in MT so we know quite a bit about the school. However, my impression is that U of M and Brent Wagner look for big, legit voices first and foremost and then at acting and dance. While my S has a good voice it's defintely not going to stop the world. On the other hand he is a very talented dancer and a great actor. Before anyone suggests that he look at dance programs (he's not that "into" ballet/modern) or straight acting programs I have to tell you he was a child performer who already has Broadway credits. Like many young men who had amazing voices as a child, his adult voice is not of the same caliber. He's only 16, and we've been told he's still going through voice change. This said, he has his heart set on doing MT and I need help in finding a good program for him. Any suggestions would be grately appreciated.</p>
<p>Yep, you did send your 1st post to the wrong place, but I replied to you there. Let me know here if there is anything I can do to help you. Again, welcome.</p>
<p>After reading both of your posts again, it sounds as though you've already done a couple of things I suggested (copying the Big List and strength assessment). It sounds like your S would perhaps like a program that has strong drama and dance components. I'd suggest looking at Penn State, Florida State, Syracuse, Webster, Otterbein, and NYU (Tisch) for starters. These schools have strong drama programs and good dance programs. Carnegie-Mellon has an excellent drama component, but it my opinion it does not offer much to skilled dancers. I'm sure some of the other posters can add to this list.</p>
<p>Thank-you for replying so quickly. I read both replies and that's a great start. I'm having a little trouble navigating this site. Thread 38 doesn't appear on the list of threads. Is there a way to get here without going to Thread 37 and going to next Thread from the last page?</p>
<p>Indiana University - Well, I just wrote you a nice long post about our visit to IU this weekend and the computer lost it when I tried to post, said I was not logged in (which I had been). In the interest of time since it is late - here's the short version.</p>
<p>We need to add IU to the Big List in my opinion because they offer an MT option through the Individualized Major program. It doesn't currently require an audition. They are considering combining an official MT program in the future between the theatre dept. and the school of music. Their theatre dept. is top notch, the school of music is one of the best in the country (theatre people can take voice from these teachers) and plentiful amounts of all dance types are offered.</p>
<p>We were impressed with their play Sat. night and with all of their nice new theatre facilities. The campus is also great. We could see why students are so happy there.</p>
<p>This school would be a perfect place for someone who wants to do performance acting, dance, and singing but also wants a BA liberal arts education with the ability to explore many areas. They are also very supportive of double majors or having a minor in another field. They seem to do the best with this of anywhere we have visited.
Let me know if you want more detail. IU is an excellent option to consider.</p>
<p>Hey MIKELTOn what date did you audtion for Michigan? I was the the 14th of January and I still ahve not heard anything. When did u hear? I heard the longer you wait, the more lilely u are to be on hte waiting list...eho knows
I am a big fan of MICH tope choice for sure~Let me know</p>
<p>Hey Cadget03 (aka JA!) I too was at the Michigan audition on the 14th (p.s. we hung out! hey there!) Anyhoo, I haven't heard yet either . . . don't know what that means. Has anyone who auditioned on the 14th and lives in CA or any other surrounding state heard yet? I don't know whether the mail to CA is slow or whether this wait means something about my admission decision (wait listed or decision held off on until after Jan 28th auditions). I'm going 4 weeks since my audition . . .</p>
<p>Cadget and Collegebound.... I HAVEN'T HEARD EITHER!!!! I auditioned on the 14th as well. I think soozie is waiting to hear as well as her D's friend. I'm pretty sure that the wait has something to do with your admission decision and not location. I am from Cleveland, so definitely not a location issue for me. Based on everything that I have heard, my guess is that they are still deciding, and wanted to wait until after the jan 28th audition and/or Unifieds. The decision might be deferred or acceptance, hopefully not rejection!!!! (I'm with you cadget.... I love Mich as well.... but I'm trying to keep my expectations low). I believe they said 2-4 weeks, so I'm thinking I might have my counselor call by monday (bad idea????). Also.... at UArts this weekend, I was talking to a junior in the progam who said she didn't hear back from UMich for 8 WEEKS! Finally got her letter in the mail: Rejected! EEK!! Just food for thought. </p>
<p>I know the waiting is torture, (BELIEVE ME, I KNOW) but try to stay positive! At least I now know that they didn't forget about me!! Let me know if you hear anything ;)</p>
<p>Indiana follow-up: Doctorjohn, you are awesome, and thanks for working on getting IU on the Big List. I truly hope to get there to visit your campus before we're done. Congrat's to your son for getting his degrees from the outstanding music school at IU. </p>
<p>I wanted to add a few things to what I wrote last night. If they do end up combining an official MT program between the 2 schools, they do not know if it would require an audition. Currently, theatre does not, but the school of music does require an audition. They would have to work out all of these details. The theatre faculty person we talked to said they were not too far along with this planning, but the grad. student working in his office thinks it could be as early as fall 2006 (for MT major). </p>
<p>A few other comments I said in my first e-mail (that didn't post) last night:</p>
<p>Person who asked about composers, check out IU music school - I read somewhere about 3 of their music students winning a student composer award. </p>
<p>The theatre production Sat. was so very well done with maximum use of multiple levels of their space, incredible special effects, great costumes, creative choreography. It was an ancient Greek tragedy, and I wasn't sure I'd like such a thing, ahead of time. It was a very enjoyable evening. I think there was only 1 grad. student and the rest undergraduates in the production. That same 3rd year MFA student taught the acting class Monday that my son visited. My son thought the young man was a very good teacher and enjoyed the class. Grad. students do teach some of the first year classes. Freshmen are immediately allowed to audition for shows. They do 8 plays a season, 2 of these musicals. Then there are other projects not in the main season for students to participate in. The current undergrad. population is 250 students, so there is much competition for parts in plays. The new theatre building has 2 different theatres, both of which are among the nicest we've seen. I couldn' have been more impressed.</p>
<p>Back from Jacksonville....disappointing outcome, but FANTASTIC time there!
I spoke with my soph MT D at PSU last night and she said that they have only offered 4 acceptances so far and have quite a large deferred/wait list. They were at Unifieds this past weekend in NY and Chicago, I believe and are heading to LA and Las Vegas, plus have 2 more auditions at PSU. So...don't be discouraged if you are not finding anything in the mail...whether it be form PSU or other schools. I think they are seeing more students than ever and are trying to wait it out for the most part to see everyone before offering admission. Most of these schools take such a small number to begin with, they really can't afford to offer amny admissions until all of their auditions are done. So...even though it is excruciating to wait...hang in there....good things will come!</p>
<p>WEll it ahs almost been four weeks frmo MIchigan....and nothing but I did receive an email from a faculty member that auditioned us saying, "...let's cross our fingers and we'll see what happens" What does that mean? And why did I get that e-mail. CONFUSING AHHH!</p>
<p>My Nasme Is Mike..and I Was Prob At The Audition With U...mich Musical Theater Audition- Jan 14th In Ann Arbor... Anyway I Was Accepted Early(founde Out Exactly Two Weeks From The Audition)....i Was Wondering What Faculty Memeber Emailed You, Because I Am In Touch With Them And Would Try To Figure Out What It Ment For You....what Do U Look Like(i Was The Tall Freckly Red Head Kid!) My Nake Is Mike-nice To Meat U-i Wonder If Ur The Girl I Warmed Up With</p>